Greenwich Entertainment Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights to ‘Bonjour Tristesse’ – Film News in Brief

Greenwich Entertainment has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Durga Chew-Bose’s directorial debut, “Bonjour Tristesse.” The film is based on Françoise Sagan’s 1950s novel of the same title. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The Babe Nation Films and Elevation Pictures production stars Chloë Sevigny (“Feud: Capote vs The Swans”), Claes Bang (“The Square”), and Lily McInerny (“Palm Trees and Power Lines”).

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The logline reads: “At the height of summer, 18-year-old Cécile (McInerny) is languishing by the French seaside with her handsome father, Raymond (Bang), and his lover, Elsa (Naïlia Harzoune) when the arrival of her late mother’s friend Anne (Sevigny) changes everything. Amid the sun-drenched splendour of their surroundings, Cécile’s world is threatened and, desperate to regain control, she sets in motion a plan to drive Anne away with tragic consequences.”

Chew-Bose was named one of Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch for 2025.

Thursday, Dec. 5

Native American Media Alliance Announces Participants for 6th Annual Animation Lab

The Native American Media Alliance (NAMA) has announced the class of fellows for the 6th Annual Native American Animation Lab. This program was created to support Native Americans pursuing careers in the animation field as well as to highlight more accurate portrayals of Indigenous communities in television and film.

“The Native American Animation Lab is a transformative experience that empowers Indigenous artists to bring their unique visions to life,” announced Ian Skorodin (Choctaw), director of strategy for the Native American Media Alliance. ”This lab has uplifted several Native American artists who want to bring their unique stories to life.”

The five-day curriculum for the Native American Animation Lab includes meetings with industry executives from companies such as Netflix, Dreamworks Animation, MTV, Sony Pictures Animation and more. The program is also tailored around mentoring opportunities, group sessions and initiatives to help participants build relationships with professionals in animation. The program concludes with a pitch series for participants to receive feedback from executives.

This year’s fellows include Andrew Luna, Anthony Chee Emerson, Daveishena D. Redhouse, Esai Alvarez, Kelsey Foote, Nick Alan Foote and Sonny Brava.

Wednesday, Dec. 4

Dr. Jacquelyn Ford Morie is honored by the The Visual Effects Society with Georges Méliès Award

The Visual Effects Society (VES) is honoring Dr. Jacquelyn Ford Morie with the Georges Méliès Award for her contributions to visual arts and technology.

The VES Georges Méliès Award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the visual effects industry through their artistry, invention and work. Over her long career, Dr. Morie has helped shape projects across health, education, art and space exploration.

“Dr. Jacki Morie exemplifies enduring impact at the intersection of art, science, and technology, shaping the future of virtual experiences worldwide,” VES Chair Kim Davidson said. “She has been at the edge of technological advances since the 1980s, and remains dedicated to mentoring the next generation of VR innovators while forging ahead with new paradigms in immersive media.”

Dr. Morie helped establish the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies, worked as a Senior Scientist there for 14 years, formed her own company in 2011 and produced a study for NASA designed to mitigate social isolation for future astronauts. She has also won multiple awards, including the AIXR Accenture Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 and the Legacy Nextant Award from the Virtual World Society.

The award will be presented on Feb. 11 during the 23rd Annual VES Awards.

Monday, Dec. 2

Roe v. Wade Inspired Documentary ‘Zurawski v Texas’ will screen at Napa Valley Film Festival

Following Roe v. Wade being overturned in 2022 and a politically turbulent national election, the documentary “Zurawski v Texas” will be screened at a two-night benefit screening as part of the Napa Valley Film Festival on Dec. 8 and 9.

Executive produced by Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and Jennifer Lawrence, this documentary follows the historic 2023 case where 43 women stood up for their rights in Texas to access abortions in the case of life-threatening pregnancies.

The post-screening Q&As will feature lead plaintiff Amanda Zurawski, lead attorneys Molly Duane and Jamie Levitt and director Maisie Crow. Proceeds from the two screenings will be donated to Planned Parenthood of Northern California and The SexEd Justice Project, two local organizations dedicated to preserving reproductive rights.

Tickets for the event can be purchased online. The documentary previously screened at the Telluride Film Festival and AFI Fest.

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